The increase of kidnappings in Colombia

Ifm Noticias

Kidnappings across Colombia are on the rise as the administration of current President Gustavo Petro prepares to enter into peace negotiations with the largest remaining armed group in the country, the National Liberation Army, ELN. 

So far in 2023, kidnappings have increased by 93%. According to the Unified Action Groups for Personal Liberty (Gaula) of the Colombian Police, there have been 187 cases so far this year compared to 87 in the same period in 2022.

The National Liberation Army (ELN), an organization that is in preliminary peace talks with the government, committed at least 15 kidnappings this year, according to the Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Indepaz). It is possible that the ELN-led kidnappings are more, as the departments with the greatest ELN presence are the most affected.

The ELN's last known act of kidnapping was the abduction of a Colombian army sergeant and her two children in Arauca on July 3. In the following days, the ELN kidnapped 19 employees of a construction company in Norte de Santander, releasing them the same day.

The increase in kidnappings comes paradoxically in the midst of discussions on a bilateral ceasefire between the ELN and the Colombian government. Both sides have agreed to end operations with each other as of July 6. However, the guerrillas have not committed to ending their criminal activities such as extortion and kidnapping. These actions represent an important source of income and financing for this criminal group.